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Re: Intro and question

for

From: Jill Lenz
Date: Jun 23, 2004 11:31AM


From another developer's perspective on maintaining two versions . . .
been there, done that. Don't do it.

Follow Michael's advice of using XHTML/CSS. It's the way to go these
days. There's lots of good tutorials out there on the subject.

michael wrote:

> One a side note (from a developer's perspective) if you have two separate
> sites, it is just going to take you twice the amount of time to maintain and
> twice the amount of chance of error (updated page on main site but not the
> secondary site etc.)
>
> I honestly don't see why you would have a problem in developing a visually
> pleasing site that is also steadfast accessible especially if you use the
> right tools and plan ahead. With the majority of the browsers support for
> and rendering of XHTML/CSS being stronger, you will be able to keep the
> presentation separate from content pretty well which in turn allows you to
> manipulate the visual side via CSS and create semantically correct content
> which should transport well within both visual browsers and text based
> browsers and readers.
>
> HTH with giving you some other viewpoints on what you will face when and if
> you choose two separate sites. And apologies for going a bit off topic on
> your question.
>
> Michael Goddard
> Internet Developer/Programmer, CIW
> TDH Marketing & Communications, Inc.
> 8153 Garnet Drive
> Dayton, OH. 45458
> phone: 937.438.3434
> fax: 937.438.3453
> email: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> web: http://www.tdh-marketing.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: honorsgurl [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:59 PM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Subject: [WebAIM] Intro and question
>
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I've been lurking on this list for a little while and have learned a lot
> from reading your posts. Thanks!
>
> I've done a little web design in the past, but now I'm responsible for
> developing the site for our program at the university, and I'm very
> committed to making the site fully accessible. I have much still to learn
> on this topic.
>
> In considering accessibility, my first thought was to create one
> graphics-intense site (the main site) and one low-graphics site, linking to
> the accessible site from the main site.
>
> However, in reading some things on the web about this idea, I discovered
> that some people consider this approach demeaning to those who will use the
> accessible site--sort of as if one population of web users is restricted to
> using a _back door_ to enter the site. Naturally, I do not want to offend
> or demean anyone who uses our site.
>
> My ultimate goal is to create a single website that satisfies both the
> desire of a visually-oriented population to access a cutting edge website
> and the desire of those who are vision impaired or have other accessibility
> issues to be able to access the site's content. But that will take me quite
> awhile to accomplish (if ever!), and I must get this website built as soon
> as possible, as the current site is a disaster from many standpoints, not
> the least of which is utter inaccessibility.
>
> Can anyone give me some insight as to the feelings of the disabled web
> community about separate, accessible sites? Does this population really
> feel demeaned when using these sites? Would you advise that I avoid the
> two-site approach?
>
> Thank you in advance for any input!
>
> Beth Hanes
> Office Manager
> University Honors Program
> MSC06 3890
> 1 University of New Mexico
> Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
> (505) 277-4213
> http://www.unm.edu/~honors
>
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--
Jill Lenz
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
1601 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1601

Office of the Dean - Instructional Technology
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/intech/lab/
Office: Physiology 109
InTech Lab: Physiology 101
voice: 970-491-6585
fax: 970-491-2250
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